Exploring Summer Internship Opportunities in Columbus and Beyond
The pursuit of practical experience and career exploration during the academic year and summer months is a cornerstone of student development. For students in Columbus and across various regions, a diverse array of internship opportunities exists, catering to a wide range of ages, academic levels, and professional interests. From legislative research in the city council to hands-on scientific endeavors and creative arts programs, these programs offer invaluable insights into potential career paths and the chance to make a tangible impact.
Columbus City Council: A Gateway to Municipal Governance
For undergraduate and graduate students seeking a comprehensive understanding of local government, the Columbus City Council offers paid internships throughout the year. Specifically, the Summer 2026 program is scheduled to commence on Monday, May 11, and conclude on Friday, July 17. Interns are expected to dedicate a minimum of 15 to 20 hours per week and will receive an hourly wage of $17. The responsibilities within this program are multifaceted, encompassing research, constituent services, data collection, and policy analysis. This immersive experience provides interns with a thorough grasp of the legislative processes at the municipal level. Notification for selected students for the Legislative Internship Program begins on March 2. To be considered, interested individuals must complete the designated application form.
Broadening Horizons: Additional Internship Avenues
Beyond the Columbus City Council, a wealth of other internship opportunities exist, often with specific focuses and target demographics. These programs range from high school-level exposure to specialized graduate-level research, reflecting a commitment to nurturing talent at all stages of education.
One such opportunity is offered by the Franklin County Auditor's Office, which hosts intern cohorts comprising high school students, college students, and recent graduates (within one year of graduation). These internships generally align with a semester calendar, with the possibility of extending terms if mutually agreed upon. High school internships are open to all interested students, with the expectation that they will possess their own transportation and be treated as adults. These positions involve rotating through various departments to provide broad exposure to the Auditor's office operations and to foster greater engagement with government. While these internships are typically unpaid, they offer a meaningful way to contribute to the agency's work while gaining practical experience.
The Glenn Intern program, in conjunction with The Ohio State University's Public Affairs 2110 course, provides a unique pathway for students to earn college credit. This program integrates interns into the Ohio State Academy, offering an overview of public affairs and an examination of American democracy and public service. A key component of the Glenn program involves students undertaking an individual or group research project on a public policy issue of their choice, fostering in-depth analytical skills.
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For students with a keen interest in engineering and materials science, the Ma2JIC program, housed within The Ohio State University’s College of Engineering, Welding Engineering program, offers a valuable experience. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this program encourages the inclusion of underrepresented groups in STEM education. In collaboration with universities in the United States and Canada, Ma2JIC customizes internship experiences to meet the needs of both students and the organization. High school students are sought after for roles in areas such as lighting, design, or casting, gaining hands-on experience by working alongside full-time AFRL scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and technology.
The REAP apprenticeship program places apprentices under the direct supervision of a mentor to engage in hands-on research projects. This initiative exposes apprentices to the realities of research, provides valuable mentorship, and educates them about educational and career prospects within STEM fields. The underlying philosophy driving many of these programs, including the Student Leaders program, is the vital importance of preparing a diverse group of community-minded young individuals with the leadership training necessary for workforce success. This approach contributes to responsible growth and the development of thriving communities. The Student Leaders program, for instance, connects approximately 225 community-minded high school juniors and seniors annually to employment, skills development, and service opportunities. These students often secure paid summer internships with local non-profits, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity, and participate in a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C.
In the realm of healthcare and child health research, the Children's Hospital Colorado/University of Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus offers a summer program. Here, students work directly with faculty members in the Department of Pediatrics, gaining exposure to research opportunities focused on child health. This program aims to encourage high school students to pursue careers in science and engineering, further their education through mentorship and research participation, and raise awareness of Department of the Navy (DoN) research and technology efforts, which could lead to future employment within the DoN. The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a notable example, providing competitive research internships to a significant number of high school students annually. This initiative, spearheaded by researchers like Lance Liotta, Dr. Emanuel Petricoin III, Dr. Virginia Espina, and Amy Adams, grants high school and undergraduate students interested in STEM access to real-world, hands-on research experiences.
The intersection of media and mental health is explored through a partnership between GoZen and international filmmaker Sarah Snow. For the 2022 Teen Summer Internship, this collaboration combines mental health expertise with Snow Media's storytelling prowess to offer an educational, challenging, and enjoyable experience for teens. This virtual, paid internship spans six weeks, from June 20th to August 1st, requiring between 10 and 30 hours per week. It is particularly suited for teens interested in mental health and comfortable on camera, offering a paid summer gig that could be a perfect fit.
For those passionate about environmental conservation and fisheries science, the Hutton Scholar program matches selected students with fisheries professionals in their local areas for hands-on experience in marine and/or freshwater settings. Hutton Scholars receive payment throughout the eight-week internship, alongside valuable work experience in a rewarding field.
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The IEA (Internship, Experience, and Advancement) program, while not always paid and often not providing housing (requiring interns to cover all expenses), focuses on developing students' skills through working in various professional settings. Junior interns, in particular, hone their communication abilities by giving public tours.
Kaya offers remote internships designed to contribute to capacity-building projects for organizations addressing social or environmental issues. These internships align with Kaya's mission of promoting sustainable social, environmental, and economic development, allowing participants to gain cross-cultural work experience and make a lasting impact in a host country community. Internships are available for individuals ranging from high school to graduate levels.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides various student employment programs. High school applicants not pursuing a summer research position are directed to the general NIST Student Employment Programs for information on other NIST initiatives.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a vast biomedical research agency, offers a range of opportunities. While specific details for high school internships are not elaborated upon in the provided text, the NIH's commitment to research and scientific advancement suggests a potential for valuable learning experiences.
The Smithsonian Institution provides a rich landscape of internship opportunities, particularly for those interested in art, history, and education. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, for instance, offers a paid internship for high school students through the Richard Louie Memorial Internship. Established in 1994, this program aims to introduce high school students to Asian art museums as dynamic environments offering rewards, challenges, and opportunities for self-discovery. Interns are tasked with completing independent projects within their areas of interest, meeting with professional staff to learn about museum, library, and history careers, developing public speaking and leadership skills through collaborative work, and engaging in hands-on activities to deepen their understanding of American history and art. These experiences are designed to help students explore career options and develop essential personal and professional skills.
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The Benjamin Lawless Internship at the Smithsonian, a five-week intensive program, focuses on developing creativity and imagination through exploring the institution's collections and research. Interns engage in a guided learning experience, working 40 hours a week.
The Brown Internship in Education honors Claudine K. Brown's legacy by promoting excellence in education and fostering a diverse future workforce in education and museum leadership. This program emphasizes immersive, hands-on learning experiences. It aims to increase the participation of underserved students who are underrepresented in education and museum leadership. Smaller Smithsonian units may also reach out to applicants from a general pool for available internship opportunities, even if they do not have formal application processes. Applying to the General Smithsonian Internship Pool can increase the chances of securing an internship if specific program applications are not a direct fit, as units with unfilled mentor-guided learning opportunities may recruit from this pool.
United Planet offers the virtual Global Citizen Leader Internship Program, an exceptional opportunity for high school students to engage in virtual internships with social enterprises and non-profits in over 20 countries, all from their homes. This program focuses on providing real-world leadership, entrepreneurship, career development, and project-based experiential learning through a series of micro-internships across various business functions.
The United States Secret Service Student Volunteer Service Program provides unpaid, academic-related work assignments that allow students to explore career options and develop personal and professional skills while contributing to a prominent law enforcement organization. Eligibility extends to current students in high school, college, trade school, or other qualifying educational institutions.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that offers a variety of work programs for adults aged 18 and older, providing educational scholarships and other benefits in exchange for service. Service opportunities include environmental and disaster response through NCCC, poverty alleviation through VISTA, and more. Initiatives in Ohio, such as Teach for America and Ohio State University Extension Public Health, focus on improving education, economic prospects, and health within the state.
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